četvrtak, 31. ožujka 2011.

The European Year of Volunteering is both a celebration and a challenge. It is a celebration of the commitment of millions of people in Europe who work in their communities during their free time without being paid – for example in schools, hospitals, and sports clubs, protecting the environment, providing social services and helping people in other countries. Their efforts and those of the many thousands of volunteering organisations make a huge difference to our lives in countless ways. The world would be much worse off without volunteers! The EYV is also a challenge to the three-quarters of the European population who do not do any volunteering. We would like to say to them that they can also make a difference.More info at http://solarserdar.blogspot.com.

2011 is the European Year of Volunteering. Many events, exhibitions, live demonstrations and other activities will be taking place throughout Europe during the year. EYV TOUR: Getting up close and personal with volunteers The EYV 2011 Tour will bring Europe closer to volunteers, but it will also bring volunteers closer to society as a whole. EYV RELAY: Extraordinay stories for ordinary people Volunteers are at the heart of unique stories and intervention methods that demonstrate the value of human commitment to achieving unbelievable results.

CONFERENCES: Laying the foundations for a long-lasting EYV legacy The conferences will highlight the reality of volunteering in the Member States, and will contribute to the policy work and reform initiatives also being undertaken by the EYV2011 Alliance which will continue to bear fruit long after the end of the year.

In addressing climate change, a solid consensus has emerged on the importance of placing a price on emitted carbon, whether through a tax or cap-and-trade system. Our work focuses on designing a carbon pricing policy and market models that are pragmatic and workable.

It is at the community level that Croatia’s environmental and economic challenges meet. Small towns and large cities are on the front lines of environmental problems such as waste management, water quality and transportation. At the same time, they are where most of the country’s economic activity occurs – and where economic hardships are most keenly felt. Constrained by provincial law, many municipalities are looking for innovative solutions. CCRES focuses on developing a broad array of market-based instruments to help municipalities address environmental concerns while creating new sources of revenue.

Ecosystem markets represent a new way of understanding the value of our country’s rich natural capital, particularly their value to our economy. Such markets would reflect the true worth of these assets to our economy and quality of life and encourage greater attention to their preservation. While there is a growing international awareness of ecosystem markets, this concept has not yet fully informed Croatian policy or innovation. CCRES disseminates this body of knowledge and develops specific policy applications for Croatia.

In order to remain the “go to” organization for policy and market innovation, CCRES conducts research and development into emerging issues. In particular, we focus on market-based instruments, conducting original research in areas where we can make a unique contribution.More info at http://solarserdar.blogspot.com

srijeda, 30. ožujka 2011.

While the 4th Global Competitiveness Forum focused on finding the right balance of economic growth and sustainability through competitiveness, the 5th GCF will dig into one of the key elements of competitiveness -- "Innovation as a Means to Competitiveness". Over the last 4 years of the Global Competitiveness Forum, innovation was discussed as a means of developing competitiveness - to build sustainability, promote responsible development, and drive economic growth. For the Global Competitiveness Forum's 5th anniversary, the world's premier gathering on competitiveness challenges will not only look at what challenges to competitiveness exist, but how to use innovation to solve those challenges.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) Michael R. Bromwich today announced that the Department is initiating the process to offer the first commercial wind lease under the “Smart from the Start” Atlantic Offshore Wind program, off the coast of Delaware. The decision follows a determination that there is no competitive interest for commercial wind energy development in this area of the Outer Continental Shelf, precluding the need for competitive bidding.More info at http://solarserdar.blogspot.com.

“This is a significant milestone for our nation’s energy future,” said Secretary Salazar, “allowing Interior officials to move toward a non-competitive lease agreement with NRG Bluewater Wind Delaware for potential offshore wind development. This is another major step forward in tapping the enormous offshore wind potential of the Atlantic coast.”

Salazar added that several steps remain before a lease can be issued, including environmental reviews and consultation with other federal, state, local and tribal organizations. Additionally, once a lease is issued, the developer will be required to submit a detailed construction and operation plan that will be subject to further environmental review and public comment before any final decision is made on a proposed project.

“We have been working closely with Governor Jack Markell and his team through our ‘Smart from the Start’ initiative as they seek to meet Delaware’s renewable energy goals,” said Director Bromwich. “We will continue working closely with the state, local communities, and affected parties as we begin the leasing process.”

Gov. Markell highlighted the economic opportunity presented by the expediting of commercial wind leases. “It’s encouraging to see the federal government putting some of its efforts into moving offshore wind energy forward,” said Gov. Markell. “The decision recognizes the longer-term economic and environmental benefits the NRG Bluewater Wind project could provide Delaware and that the offshore wind industry could provide the nation.”

“NRG Bluewater Wind’s progression through the federal leasing process is a major milestone towards harnessing the environmental and economic benefits of offshore wind, Delaware’s most abundant renewable resource,” said Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara. “BOEMRE’s leadership in facilitating progress on offshore wind has been critical in making the vision of producing clean energy for Delaware off our own shores a reality.”

Bluewater Wind Delaware, LLC has proposed a phased wind turbine development 11 miles east of Dewey Beach, Delaware. The company has an agreement with Delaware officials to sell offshore power to the state’s largest utility, Delmarva.To ascertain competitive interest, BOEMRE published a Request for Interest (RFI) in the Federal Register regarding wind energy development in federal waters offshore Delaware. The bureau received only one response from a qualified organization to the April 2010 RFI --Bluewater Wind Delaware, LLC. BOEMRE then published a second Federal Register notice in January 2011 to determine whether competitive interest existed for the area proposed by Bluewater Wind. The bureau did not receive any additional expressions of interest. To review public comments submitted in response to these notices, go to: http://www.boemre.gov/offshore/RenewableEnergy/stateactivities.htm#Delaware

In response to concerns raised in these comments, BOEMRE will collaborate with the U.S. Coast Guard to better quantify the amount and location of vessel activity in the proposed lease area and will evaluate methods to analyze the effects of wind energy facilities and infrastructure on marine vessel traffic. Additionally, in BOEMRE’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review of potential effects associated issuing a commercial wind energy lease and site characterization activities, the bureau will consider potential effects on commercial fishing and other activities within the proposed lease area prior to issuing the commercial lease to Bluewater Wind. A more detailed NEPA analysis will cover the potential impacts to these resources from Bluewater’s proposed wind facility installation, operations, and decommissioning activities; these activities will be described in the company’s construction and operation plan submitted after the commercial lease is executed.BOEMRE will soon publish the decision to move forward with the noncompetitive leasing process in the Federal Register as a Determination of No Competitive Interest (DNCI), as required by offshore renewable energy regulations.More info at http://solarserdar.blogspot.com.

ponedjeljak, 28. ožujka 2011.

Designed in cooperation with several Croatian energy agencies, the ManagEnergy Workshop in Zagreb on 5 April 2011 is tailored to the needs of management and technical staff from Croatian municipalities and other local energy actors with a public mandate.

The workshop will build the capacity of participants in the following areas:Developing Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAPs) within the Covenant of Mayors InitiativeUnderstanding the impact of the transition to Structural and Cohesion Funds for Croatian municipalities investing in sustainable energyUtilising alternative financing mechanisms for energy investment, including EIB loans, regional revolving funds and ESCOs

Participants at the one-day seminar will benefit from a mix of expert presentations, case studies and group discussions.

Workshop participants will leave the workshop with:Increased capacity for developing and implementing successful SEAPsGreater understanding of the transition from IPA to Structural & Cohesion Funds (SCF) for municipal energy investmentsMore information about alternative financing sources for local energy actions available to Croatian municipalities investing in sustainable energyWider awareness of locally applicable best practices from other New Member States

About the Workshop The workshop will focus on developing, implementing and financing sustainable energy actions at the municipal level. It will include expert presentations and good practice examples, as well as interactive discussion sessions between the participants and speakers.Workshop Objectives The workshop will seek to build the capacity of the participants in the following areas:

11:15 – 11:45 Session 1c: How to Transform SEAPs into Reality? An Overview of the City of Zagreb’s ActivitiesMr. Marijan Maras, Head of Zagreb Energy DepartmentSession Summary: Examples and good practices from Zagreb of successful SEAP implementation

Session 3a: Financing Schemes of the Krapinsko-Zagorska County and experiences from utilising the EIB-HBOR loan for municipal energy investmentsMr. Igor Cigula, Head of Economy Department, Krapinsko-Zagorska CountySession Summary: Presentation of financing schemes (for households and the public sector) offered by Krapinsko-Zagorska County and of experiences as a user of EIB/HBOR loan

Session 3b: The North West Croatia Revolving FundSpeaker to be confirmedSession Overview: Presentation of the North West Croatia Revolving Fund, including advice on how municipalities in the region can utilise it, and how other regions can replicate.

Session 3c: How successful ESCO contracting can assist municipal energy financingRepresentative of non-Croatian ESCO or a municipal representative who has worked successfully with ESCOs (TBC).Session Overview: Overview of pros and cons of different Energy Performance Contract models and the impact for municipal project owners, combined with demonstration of good practices

This animation shows the device operating with the magnetic fields visible. I am uncertain if this is truly an accurate representation of the size and alignment of the fields but i believe it to be a relatively close estimation.

This is an illustrative render of the "Searl-effect" Generator. If you happen to be a scientist who can instruct me on how to make this demo more accurate any input would be appreciated. Also, any apparent clockwise rotation is an optical illusion caused by the rendering technique. All rotation seen here is counter clockwise.More info at http://solarserdar.blogspot.com.

subota, 26. ožujka 2011.

Tidal energy is produced through the use of tidal energy generators. These large underwater turbines are placed in areas with high tidal movements, and are designed to capture the kinetic motion of the ebbing and surging of ocean tides in order to produce electricity. Tidal power has great potential for future power and electricity generation because of the massive size of the oceans.More info at http://solarserdar.blogspot.com

Osmotic power plants operate by combining salt water and fresh water. Cost has been one of the major obstacles in taking this type of power to the masses, but they have obviously fixed that problem and the new power station is being watched by all with much anticipation. With well over 10 years of research behind it, this osmotic power plant is literally world changing technology.More info at http://solarserdar.blogspot.com.

While this particular osmotic power plant is more of a prototype than energy source, it will be curious to see how things work. They will use this plant primarily for testing and development of a commercial model, but if all goes well, we can expect to see a power station that will be made for public energy use in just a few years.

The basis of this energy source is the meeting of fresh water with salt water. That being the case, these osmotic power plants can be set up anywhere that there is a runoff into the ocean. Believe it or not, they can actually be built right into industrial buildings if this testing model is found to be successful. The power plants are both noise and pollutant free and are a great alternative to some of the means of power that industry is currently using.

Because much of industry around the world is located on waterfront areas, if this source of power proves to be successful, this becomes a very viable source of energy for industry to use to dramatically cut down on the pollutants that are released into our atmosphere from this business sector. Anyone having driven through an industrial section of town knows how important this would be to creating a much safer breathing environment.

The project itself is headed up by Statkraft, which is the largest renewable energy company in Europe. They have over 10 years research invested in this project and are very excited to have Norway behind them in this venture, the princess in particular. In addition to developing this osmotic power plant, Statkraft is also involved in developing other renewable energy sources such as solar power and marine power.

The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) site is going to be the place where marine energy farm Aquamarine Power is going to become the first Scottish company to test both wave and tidal technologies. Aquamarine Power has reached an agreement with EMEC to place its tidal stream power device known as Neptune at the test site on the Isle of Eday. Neptune is an Edinburgh-based company.More info at http://solarserdar.blogspot.com.

Neptune has a capacity of 2.4 MW. One of the most powerful tidal stream devises underdevelopment, it is being designed to produce electricity on a commercial scale. It will soon be competing with other energy sources in the UK, according to the company.

Neptune consists of two horizontal axis tidal turbines mounted upon a single monopole to generate energy from incoming and outgoing tides; this electricity will further be supplied to the grid.

Confirming last week’s signing of the contract with EMEC, a spokeswoman for Aquamarine Power said: “We are delighted to have signed a further contract with EMEC. It’s an exciting and important step towards the deployment and testing of our tidal device.”

When Neptune finally arrives at the EMEC site it will join another tidal power producing device from the company, called Oyster, a hydroelectric wave power converter. Preparations for a full-scale testing of Oyster are already underway at the EMEC Billia Croo site. Oyster’s hydroelectric plant will be connected by drilling three pipelines.

The Aquamarine spokeswoman said: “Through the testing of Oyster, we will learn about installation method and seabed connection. We will verify our tank-testing and learn about survivability, reliability and maintainability of the device which will in turn inform the design of future Oyster arrays.

“Oyster has the potential to be more efficient and environmentally friendly than other systems currently under development. A wave farm of just 10 devices powering one onshore hydroelectric plant could provide enough energy to power around 3,000 homes”.

petak, 25. ožujka 2011.

Earth is becoming a tougher place to thrive and survive. The planet’s self-regulating systems are being altered. With a less stable environment, Earth is losing many living species and its ability to supply the world economy with basic goods and services.The main driver behind these changes is carbon emissions. Mostly they are produced as humans burn fossil fuel for energy. Carbon emissions have been high enough to boost the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere to present day levels of roughly 390 parts per million. This is about 30% higher than atmospheric CO2 levels for at least 800,000 years before the industrial revolution. Elevated levels of heat-trapping CO2 in the atmosphere has many impacts on the planet. Rising heat energy affects Earth’s natural climate systems. Temperature recordings are increasing across lands and oceans. Ice sheets are shrinking in the arctic and in the mountains. Droughts, downpours and storms are more frequent and severe. Fresh water is getting scarce. Sea levels are rising and bringing more floods to low-lying nations, cities, villages and crop fields. Some of the excess CO2 in the atmosphere is absorbed by oceans as carbonic acid (H2CO3). This is causing rapid acidification and losses in plankton, shellfish and coral.On both land and sea, CO2-induced warming and acidification are causing climate disruption and biodiversity loss. This is the general direction. From the perspective of scientists who compare humanity’s ecological footprint with the Earth’s biocapacity to regenerate what is used, the following chart shows a significant crossover in the late 1980s. They also show carbon having the greatest impact. For the human species alone, the scientific information means that ‘basic human needs are at stake on an earth-wide scale.’ The message communicated by this chart is startling. And still, it is almost surreal. The three carbon crises are not things that ordinary people on the way to school or work or the grocery store. We must deliberately look to the information that leading climate scientists pull together. We must do this to understand the problem and what it will take to fix them. This brief article uses concrete, objective numbers in climate science literature and provides some links to explore them at more length. The focus is on the targets that, if achieved, have a reasonable chance of putting civilization on a sustainable footing. First, we start with an ultimate objective adopted by national governments. The ‘Ultimate Objective’ for National GovernmentsSince the Earth Summit in 1992, 194 countries signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC). This global climate treaty, like the Kyoto Protocol and the less significant Copenhagen Accord, have an ultimate objective to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The achievement of this ultimate objective is vital. Today, atmospheric concentrations for humanity’s chief greenhouse gas are rising faster than they were before the FCCC was initiated. CO2 levels are now further from stabilization than before the Earth Summit. As of the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Conference, the FCCC has set no atmospheric target for CO2 or any greenhouse gas. Based on the emissions reductions proposals that national governments made, atmospheric CO2 would rise from about 390 parts per million in 2010 to about 770 parts per million by 2100. As Bill McKibben says, these numbers add up to hell on Earth. On another level, about 100 nations are advocating for an atmospheric CO2 target of less than 350 parts per million. This is more than half the nations in Copenhagen. None of them are industrialized. The FCCC does has not hitched an atmospheric CO2 target to its ultimate objective because atmospheric targets were not on the table until 2009, and because consensus has not been achieved since. The lack of an atmospheric target among industrialized countries, and at the FCCC, is a good second reason to look to climate science for clear targets. The first reason is that science is more informed and objective on these topics.More info at http://solarserdar.blogspot.com.

The ‘Target Atmospheric CO2’ paper says, “Stabilizing atmospheric CO2 and climate requires that net CO2 emissions approach zero, because of the long lifetime of CO2.” The science points to the need to get carbon emissions near zero on a global scale. This is what it will take to stabilize CO2 levels in the atmosphere and advance the sustainability of human civilization. Further, a global target of zero implies a target of zero for individuals, groups and institutions. For many, zero carbon emissions may seem daunting. The target itself is daunting. So is the need for almost everyone to hit the target together. The place to start is with the emissions that each of us control. For myself, I made a personal decision that I would never buy anything new that runs on fossil fuels. This was a fairly easy decisions to make. In practice, I may need to deviate if I buy a plug-in hybrid to replace my gas powered van. Instead of reducing direct carbon emissions by 100% with an all-electric, my emissions would drop by 85% to 95% with a plug-in hybrid. I also took an inventory of all the household fossil fuels I buy and use directly. There are four of them. My aim is to eliminate them all by the end of 2013. The gas lawnmower and propane barbeque have already been replaced. (The electric lawnmower is great, the electric barbeque is not, although we’re not going back to fossil fuels.) The oil furnace and gas-powered car are next. This “fossil fuel inventory approach” is easier than using an online carbon footprint calculator. It’s also more effective because it brings focus to the task of eliminating fossil fuels. There is a third thing I have done. I started paying extra to get 100% green electricity in my home. The premium I pay supplies wind energy to the British Columbia power grid where I get my electricity. Others have already done more than I. Some people will beat me to 100% elimination, I am sure. Many others may need more time, or perhaps some form of grant or carbon pricing incentive. The point is that zero carbon emissions, or near zero carbon emissions can be achieved in the short term when we get focussed on the target. Here is an interesting observation. Getting one’s direct emissions to zero exceeds, on a per capita basis, the emissions targets of the most climate-progressive government on the planet. This is the Maldives. The government for this country of about 350,000 people has pledged voluntarily that the country will achieve carbon neutrality by 2020. The Maldives will rely on some carbon credits to achieve this target. However, the pledge applies to the people of the Maldives, not just government operations. Still, individuals around the world have the potential to stop using and buying fossil fuels in their daily lives. Individuals can set an example that enables others, individually and organizationally, to expedite policies and actions that cut fossil fuels out of the local picture, and out of the global landscape. Challenging issues will no doubt arise, but sitting still is the wrong course of action. As more people get moving to zero, a new will and ingenuity will develop that carries us past hurdles that seem insurmountable today. More info at http://solarserdar.blogspot.com.

This article shows that human carbon emissions and high levels of CO2 in the atmosphere are at the heart of three planet-altering crises: global warming, climate disruption and ocean acidification. Atmospheric CO2 has already reached the dangerously-high level of 390 parts per million. Concentrations are accelerating upward. Based on government targets, it looks like they will hit 770 parts per million before 2100. With 350 parts per million identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 concentrations, and limited time for a temporary overshoot, it is not reasonable to assume that the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change has the situation under control. It is not reasonable to assume that national governments are close to achieving the ultimate objectives of stabilizing greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere and preventing dangerous human interference with the climate system. We need the United Nations to succeed in averting the carbon crises, and the United Nations needs the help of ordinary people. Ending the carbon crisis is not a task to be left for select experts and institutions. It is going to take the self-empowerment of ordinary people. It is going to take billions of fossil fuel users, myself included, to see past the immediate benefits of these fuels. It is going to take a broad realization of the greater, longer-lasting benefits of clean energy and near-zero carbon emissions. There are things that can and should be done that do not involve the replacement of fossil fuels or the elimination of carbon emissions. But here’s the thing. We can’t end the carbon crises without getting carbon emissions near zero and atmospheric CO2 back below 350. These carbon targets are bullseyes for ending the carbon crises. Humanity needs to get to safe ground, and it is the science-derived carbon targets that point us in the right direction.Much damage has already been done to our planetary home, and yet, those damages pale in comparison to the degradation that can be avoided. The time has come for a big move, individually and collectively, to a clean energy regime that can sustain a healthy, prosperous civilization. It is vital that we become open to physical realities and targets that have not been part of our everyday lives. It is just as vital that we bring the concrete carbon targets of “350” and “zero” into the centre of our conversations about global warming and climate change. This is how we shift our thinking, actions and habits, on both a personal level and global scale. By making these kinds of deliberate changes today, we can learn to share the many fruits of the earth with countless generations that follow.

As Japan grapples with the likelihood of a nuclear power disaster as a result of the huge earthquake and tsunami, investors are betting on solar as a more benign form of alternative energy. While solar stocks are going up and up, the impact of Japan's crisis may not be so sunny for the solar market in the coming year.More info at http://solarserdar.blogspot.com.

Shares of American and Chinese solar companies, such as First Solar, SunPower, Suntech Power and JA Solar, rose around 7-11 percent Tuesday. The climb was a sharp contrast to many other stocks in the U.S. market that fell as worries deepened among investors that Japan may not be able to prevent a nuclear power reactor meltdown, which would release high levels of radiation into the atmosphere. A nuclear crisis will delay its recovery from the quake and tsunami, and Japan plays a key role in the global economy as a major supplier of consumer electronics and cars.

Before the 9.0 earthquake hit Japan last Friday, nuclear power was gaining support in the United States as a good alternative to power from coal. President Obama mentioned nuclear power in his State of the Union address in January this year, and both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have shown their support in varying degrees. What’s happening in Japan will certainly intensify debates over the safety of nuclear power. And that makes solar seem a safer bet.

But how the quake and tsunami change the dynamics of the solar market in the next 12 months is difficult to gauge, particularly in the early days of the crisis. We are seeing different takes on the longer term impact from market analysts and companies. Market research firm, DisplaySearch, noted that most of the factories for silicon, wafers and solar cells are located around central and southern Japan, not in the northern region that was directly hit by the quake and tsunami.

Some equity analysts, such as Barclays Capital’s Vishal Shah, say lawmakers might pass policies more favorable for solar now that nuclear power seems a more risky bet. Others, including Axiom Capital’s Gordon Johnson, don’t see that direct impact. In a research note, Piper Jaffray’s Ahmar Zaman writes that demand for solar energy in Japan, among the top 5 markets in the world, will fall this year as the country focuses its resources on reconstruction and other recovery measures. As a result, Japanese solar companies will try to sell products it originally pegged for the domestic market in other parts of the world and push down the average selling prices of solar panels.

Solar companies with factories in Japan are mostly reporting minimal damage to their equipment and buildings, though some may have suspended their production because of a lack of water and electricity. Taiwan-based AUO Optronics did just that at M. Setek, which produces silicon and turn silicon into wafers in northern Japan.

Solar Frontier, which recently opened its 900-megawatt factory to produce copper-indium-gallium-selenide thin films, said its factories are located far enough that they weren’t affected by the quake and tsunami. Sharp said its factories didn’t sustain major damage, but the full impact on its operations remains to be seen.

While factory equipment is in good shape, the transportation system for shipping materials and products may not be. That is likely to cause a bigger headache for manufacturers, said HIS iSuppli. Solar Frontier certainly pointed to this potential problem in its announcement: “Our supply chain appears to be intact at this time, but we are but we are reviewing all incoming and outgoing logistics as ports around Japan are recovering from the events of Friday.”More info at http://solarserdar.blogspot.com.

SunPower, which buys silicon from Japanese companies, said it won’t change the anticipated production volumes for 2011. SunPower said Japanese suppliers provide less than 10 percent of what it needs for the second quarter, and it will be able to find alternative sources if its Japanese suppliers aren’t able to deliver.CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES ( CCRES )

Project CCRES AQUAPONICS

Course Overview Whether you are a beginner, a backyard hobbyist, a homesteader or a skilled professional wanting to start a career in Aquaponics this course has something to offer. This course is intended to provide people with the best all inclusive training, hands-on experience and cutting edge methods of Permaculture based Aquaponics available anywhere! Wether you want to grow food for you and your family, a small business or a fully commercial operation this course will be sure to give you the tools, information and experience you will need to be successful in what ever Aquaponic endeavor you are interested in. At a time of global climate change, depletion of resources, pollution of water and huge losses of top soil worldwide, there has never been a more important time to learn about CCRES Aquaponics!“Imagine a technology that produces healthy organic food, clean water, and renewable energy all at the same time. We call it CCRES AQUAPONICS,” says Alexandra Maradin, Vice President of CCRES

PROJECT CCRES SPIRULINA

“The ongoing support from the private investment community speaks to how strongly they believe in the development of Green Crude as an alternative fuel resource, especially ability to commercialize it,” says Branka Kalle, President of Council CCRES. Few consider seaweeds as a viable source of energy and protein for terrestrial animals (at least until their cost becomes more attractive). Macro-algae have been shown, however, to possess several functional properties, including those of a functional fiber, with immune-stimulating and prebiotic effects. Today, marine algal extracts are used as an additive in pig and poultry diets with promising results. Furthermore, micro-algae have been shown to contain high levels of beneficial lipids that can be used in layer and sow diets as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. Finally, both types of algae are used as an active component in clay-based anti-mycotoxin agents. For example, the treatment of clay with a macro-algal extract has been shown to increase the reactive surface of clay up to eight times. Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES) offers several solutions that support the nutritional part of the production system. CCRES solutions combine algae feed additive products with their services, e.g. gut quality scoring, product application systems and customised dosing advice. Zeljko Serdar, CCRES

PROJECT CCRES ALGAE BIOFUEL

”Given the right conditions, algae can double its volume overnight. Microalgae are the earth’s most productive plants –– 10 to 15 times more prolific in biomass than the fastest growing land plant exploited for biofuel production. While soy produces some 50 gallons of oil per acre per year; canola, 150 gallons; and palm, 650 gallons, algae can produce up to 15,000 gallons per acre per year. In addition, up to 50 percent (or more) of algae biomass (dry weight) is comprised of oil, whereas oil-palm trees—currently the most efficient large-scale source of feedstock oil to make biofuels—yield approximately 20 percent of their weight in oil,” says Zeljko Serdar, President of CCRES

Project CCRES GINKGO

Ginkgo has a long history of use in treating blood disorders and memory issues. It is best known today as way to potentially keep your memory sharp. Laboratory studies have shown that ginkgo improves blood circulation by opening up blood vessels and making blood less sticky. It is also an antioxidant.

PRISTUPNICA / APLICATION FORM

CCRES offers annual memberships for research institutions, public and private sector organizations, individual associates and students. Memberships are provide access to E-Newletters and invitations to CCRES seminars and other events. Annual Memberships: To become a member, please click JOIN NOW! Additional Benefits: Invitations to CCRES seminars, tours, lunches and other special events. Advance notice of joint-funding opportunities. Access to CCRES facilities. Receipt of E-Newsletter. Recognition and logo presence for CCRES websites. Ability to sponsor additional fellowships, meetings or seminars. A seat on the CCRES Advisory Board. Exclusive invitations to events. Listing on the CCRES webpage and blogs. High-profile inclusion in CCRES marketing materials.

"CCRES is a member-based non-profit organization with membership open to research institutions, public and private sector organizations, students, and individuals." says Zeljko Serdar, President & CEO of CCRES

Do you want to learn more about renewable energy but don't know where to start? Our interactive learning center provides a comprehensive overview so that you can quickly gain a basic understanding of the major renewable energy technologies and concepts. From high level concepts to a deeper understanding of renewable energy and related technologies, browse through the learning center to broaden your understanding of these rapidly evolving sectors. CCRES

We have discovered that everyone has a talent to give. Tapping into people’s skills and knowledge creates a more meaningful experience for the volunteer and those he or she serves. It can be expertise in a certain field to the ability to make others feel assured, cared for and safe. No matter what the talent or gift a volunteer shares with others, it helps to sustain a culture of relationship-building among many groups, including youth, seniors, businesses and other charitable organizations.

Everyone has a talent and a unique perspective and when shared with those in need, it helps to foster positive effects in their community, creating a new dimension in their own lives and the lives they touch.

CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES provides green career seekers with the guidance, motivation, and direction they need to uncover their passions and plug into the green economy quickly and efficiently.

Our resource area, community, and coaching options enable you to:

Make more progress, more quickly with a guide to show you the best way to reach your green career goal.

Save time by knowing what to do next with a time-tested step-by-step plan.

Use your time wisely with organized, updated, online resources available 24/7.

Stay focused and in action with the personal touch of a coach who tracks your progress, keeps you on target, and inspires you to expand your vision.

Discover where your skills and experience fit within the emerging green economy.

Connect with other mid-career professionals who share your values and want to contribute to the emerging green economy.

Exude confidence, clarity, and excitment as you share your golas with your networking contacts and interview for positions.

CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)

• was founded as the non-profit European Association for Renewable Energy that conducts its work independently of political parties, institutions, commercial enterprises and interest groups, • is dedicated to the cause of completely substituting for nuclear and fossil energy through renewable energy, • regards solar energy supply as essential to preserve the natural resources and a prerequisite for a sustainable economy, • acts to change conventional political priorities and common infrastructures in favor of renewable energy, from the local to the international level, • brings together expertise from the fields of politics, economy, science, and culture to promote the entry of solar energy, • provides the opportunity to play a part in the sociocultural movement for renewable energy by joining the association for everyone, • considers full renewable energy supply a momentous and visionary goal - the challenge of the century to humanity.

CCRES Vision and Mission

VISION

To excel as an applied research and development center with an international reputation, focusing on the optimal use of the nation's energy resources for the benefit of its people.

MISSION

As a Center of Renewable Energy Source, we will pursue the Vision by:

Performing sound fundamental and applied research to develop industrially relevant technologiesCollaborating with stakeholders to implement novel technologiesProviding technologies to improve the environmentContributing to the formulation of technically sound policies related to energy and the environmentDeveloping the capabilities of our colleagues while fostering a mutually supportive work environment with respect for individualsActing in good faith and with integrity in all our dealings to build long lasting relationships with all our stakeholdersContributing to the teaching and instruction aim of Croatia by educating students from pre-college to postgraduate levels and being involved in labor force developmentCollaborating with colleagues to promote CCRES objectivesPromoting objective of developing and benefiting from its Intellectual Property with a balance between the publication of scientific results and patentingProviding public service in the areas of scientific education and our energy related competencies.

WELCOME VOLUNTEERS !

Thank you for volunteering at the CROATIAN CENTER OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ( CCRES ). Volunteers have been the key to the success of the CCRES for the past 20 years and we hope YOU will help make the 2017 CCRES even better! We are looking for volunteers to help with the our program. (150 volunteers needed).

All ages (adults and students) and skill levels are encouraged to volunteer - students, and student groups are welcome to volunteer for CCRES service and program .

Don't worry - we will send you a reminder once you sign up using the link below.

In addition, each volunteer will attend a refresher course, specific to your assignment, the morning of the event. No worries - you will be well prepared!

In addition to fun and excitement, we will also provide breakfast, a yummy lunch, dinner (if you stick around), and a fabulous CCRES t-shirt! Why wouldn't you sign up???

*Most of the texts from the Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources was published in English because we work in the US as well.

Making a Donation to CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)

Making a Donation to the CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY CENTER (CCRES) Without generous private donations the CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES would be unable to continue the valuable work it does in bringing objective information to an often overheated debate.

Making a donation is simple: a cheque payable to CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES can be posted to the following address:

RENEWABLE COMMUNITY

Terms and Conditions

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THIS WEBSITE. All users of this site agree that access to and use of this site are subject to the following terms and conditions and other applicable law. If you do not agree to these terms and conditions, please do not use this site.
Copyright
The entire content included in this site, including but not limited to text, graphics or code is copyrighted as a collective work under the United States and other copyright laws, and is the property of The CCRES Inc.. The collective work includes works that are licensed to The CCRES Inc.. Copyright 2012, The CCRES Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Permission is granted to electronically copy and print hard copy portions of this site for the sole purpose of placing an order with The CCRES Inc. or purchasing The CCRES Inc. products. You may display and, subject to any expressly stated restrictions or limitations relating to specific material, download or print portions of the material from the different areas of the site solely for your own non-commercial use, or to place an order with The CCRES Inc. or to purchase The CCRES Inc. products. Any other use, including but not limited to the reproduction, distribution, display or transmission of the content of this site is strictly prohibited, unless authorized by The CCRES Inc.. You further agree not to change or delete any proprietary notices from materials downloaded from the site.
Trademarks
All trademarks, service marks and trade names of The CCRES Inc. used in the site are trademarks or registered trademarks of The CCRES Inc.
Warranty Disclaimer
This site and the materials and products on this site are provided "as is" and without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. To the fullest extent permissible pursuant to applicable law, The CCRES Inc. disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. The CCRES Inc. does not represent or warrant that the functions contained in the site will be uninterrupted or error-free, that the defects will be corrected, or that this site or the server that makes the site available are free of viruses or other harmful components. The CCRES Inc. does not make any warrantees or representations regarding the use of the materials in this site in terms of their correctness, accuracy, adequacy, usefulness, timeliness, reliability or otherwise. Some states do not permit limitations or exclusions on warranties, so the above limitations may not apply to you.
Limitation of Liability
The CCRES Inc. shall not be liable for any special or consequential damages that result from the use of, or the inability to use, the materials on this site or the performance of the products, even if The CCRES Inc. has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Applicable law may not allow the limitation of exclusion of liability or incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
Typographical Errors
In the event that a The CCRES Inc. product is mistakenly listed at an incorrect price, The CCRES Inc. reserves the right to refuse or cancel any orders placed for product listed at the incorrect price. The CCRES Inc. reserves the right to refuse or cancel any such orders whether or not the order has been confirmed and your credit card charged. If your credit card has already been charged for the purchase and your order is cancelled, The CCRES Inc. shall issue a credit to your credit card account in the amount of the incorrect price.
Term; Termination
These terms and conditions are applicable to you upon your accessing the site and/or completing the registration or shopping process. These terms and conditions, or any part of them, may be terminated by The CCRES Inc. without notice at any time, for any reason. The provisions relating to Copyrights, Trademark, Disclaimer, Limitation of Liability, Indemnification and Miscellaneous, shall survive any termination.
Notice
The CCRES Inc. may deliver notice to you by means of e-mail, a general notice on the site, or by other reliable method to the address you have provided to The CCRES Inc..
Miscellaneous
Your use of this site shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the state of California, U.S.A., without regard to choice of law provisions, and not by the 1980 U.N. Convention on contracts for the international sale of goods. You agree that jurisdiction over and venue in any legal proceeding directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to this site (including but not limited to the purchase of The CCRES Inc. products) shall be in the state or federal courts located in Los Angeles County, California. Any cause of action or claim you may have with respect to the site (including but not limited to the purchase of The CCRES Inc. products) must be commenced within one (1) year after the claim or cause of action arises. The CCRES Inc.'s failure to insist upon or enforce strict performance of any provision of these terms and conditions shall not be construed as a waiver of any provision or right. Neither the course of conduct between the parties nor trade practice shall act to modify any of these terms and conditions. The CCRES Inc. may assign its rights and duties under this Agreement to any party at any time without notice to you.
Use of Site
Harassment in any manner or form on the site, including via e-mail, chat, or by use of obscene or abusive language, is strictly forbidden. Impersonation of others, including a The CCRES Inc. or other licensed employee, host, or representative, as well as other members or visitors on the site is prohibited. You may not upload to, distribute, or otherwise publish through the site any content which is libelous, defamatory, obscene, threatening, invasive of privacy or publicity rights, abusive, illegal, or otherwise objectionable which may constitute or encourage a criminal offense, violate the rights of any party or which may otherwise give rise to liability or violate any law. You may not upload commercial content on the site or use the site to solicit others to join or become members of any other commercial online service or other organization.
Participation Disclaimer
The CCRES Inc. does not and cannot review all communications and materials posted to or created by users accessing the site, and is not in any manner responsible for the content of these communications and materials. You acknowledge that by providing you with the ability to view and distribute user-generated content on the site, The CCRES Inc. is merely acting as a passive conduit for such distribution and is not undertaking any obligation or liability relating to any contents or activities on the site. However, The CCRES Inc. reserves the right to block or remove communications or materials that it determines to be (a) abusive, defamatory, or obscene, (b) fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading, (c) in violation of a copyright, trademark or; other intellectual property right of another or (d) offensive or otherwise unacceptable to The CCRES Inc. in its sole discretion.
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless The CCRES Inc., its officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors and suppliers (collectively the "Service Providers") from and against all losses, expenses, damages and costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, resulting from any violation of these terms and conditions or any activity related to your account (including negligent or wrongful conduct) by you or any other person accessing the site using your Internet account.
Third-Party Links
In an attempt to provide increased value to our visitors, The CCRES Inc. may link to sites operated by third parties. However, even if the third party is affiliated with The CCRES Inc., The CCRES Inc. has no control over these linked sites, all of which have separate privacy and data collection practices, independent of The CCRES Inc.. These linked sites are only for your convenience and therefore you access them at your own risk. Nonetheless, The CCRES Inc. seeks to protect the integrity of its web site and the links placed upon it and therefore requests any feedback on not only its own site, but for sites it links to as well (including if a specific link does not work).